Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c7.366

c7.366

The last two verses of the hymn are unique in their contents. They refer to what appear to be royal insignia, the rod (*daṇḍa*) and the bow (*dhanus*), and the ruling authority (*kṣatra*), which are passed on to the succeeding chief. This testifies that the deceased man was the chief of the ruling college and that he held office for life. The existence of the *samiti* in the same tribe is attested by verse 56. We find no mention of the *sabhā* in this long hymn. Hence the “nobles” and the *samiti* alone formed this type of non-monarchical government.